CRYOLITE

CAS Number: 13775-53-6
EC Number: 237-410-6
Chemical Formula: Na3AlF6
Molar Mass: 209.94 g/mol

Cryolite is used chiefly as a flux in the electrolytic production of aluminum from bauxite as Cryolite effectively lowers down the melting point of alumina. 
Cryolite is used in the glass and enamel industries, in bonded abrasives as a filler, in making salts of sodium and aluminum and porcelaneous glass and in the manufacture of insecticides.

Cryolite is a relatively safe fruit and vegetable insecticide. 
Cryolite is a chemical compound of sodium, fluorine, and aluminum that occurs naturally as the mineral cryolite. 
Cryolite is used in the production of insecticides, in the glass and enamel industries, as well as being a solvent for bauxite in the electrolytic manufacture of aluminium. 

Cryolite is used as a solvent (or flux) for electrolysis aluminum oxides such as bauxite, whitener for enamels and an opacifier for glass and in the industrial production of aluminum.
Cryolite appears as an odorless white solid or powder. 

Melting Point of Cryolite is 1291°C. 
Density of Cryolite 2.95 g/cm3. 

Dust of Cryolite irritates the eyes and skin; inhaled dust irritates the nose, mouth and lungs. 
Synthesized of Cryolite by fusion of sodium fluoride and aluminum fluoride as a electrolyte in the reduction of alumina to aluminum metal. 

Cryolite occurs in nature as the mineral cryolite. 
Aqueous suspensions of powdered Cryolite is used as insecticides.

Cryolite is a white or colorless mineral form of sodium aluminofluoride, which crystallizes in the monoclinic system but has a pseudocubic aspect.
Found in masses of waxy luster.

Hardness is 2.5 on Mohs scale, and specific gravity is 3.0. 
The powder of Cryolite becomes almost invisible in water due to Cryolite low refractive index. 

Cryolite is mined in significant quantities in Greenland ( so also known as Greenland spar; ice stone), and in small amounts in elsewhere. 
Cryolite is manufactured from hydrofluoric acid, sodium carbonate, and aluminium. 

Cryolite is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 10 000 to < 100 000 tonnes per annum.
Cryolite is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.

Cryolite found in large quantities in South Greenland. 
Cryolite is white or colorless, but may be reddish or brown because of impurities. 

Cryolite is used as a flux in the manufacture of aluminum. 
Cryolite crystallizes in the monoclinic system but in forms that closely resemble cubes and isometric octahedrals.

Cryolite is Na3AlF6.
The Cryolite deposit is divided into siderite-cryolite, pure cryolite, fluorite-cryolite and a fluorite-topaz unit, located above a large siderite and quartz rich unit. 

Cryolite is primarily used as a flux in the smelting and electrolytic production of aluminium. 
Cryolite is generally manufactured from aluminium oxide, sodium hydroxide and hydrofluoric acid or their equivalent reagent — hexafluorosilicic acid.

Cryolite is used as a solvent for electrolysis aluminum oxides such as bauxite, whitener for enamels and an opacifier for glass and in the industrial production of aluminum.

Although Cryolite is used in a relatively small amount.
Cryolite plays a crucial role in aluminium production. 
Up until 1987, when operations ceased, exploration included approximately 19,000 m of diamond drilling, the core from which is currently stored in a Greenland government facility, available for logging and sampling.

Production of 3.8 Mt of Cryolite has been recorded by the Greenland Geology Survey Department (this is not a resource or reserve estimate equivalent). 
Although Cryolite has been found in other places, Ivittuut is the only place where this mineral has been commercially extracted. 
In addition to Cryolite the mine workings contain associated minerals including fluorite, siderite, quartz (high purity silica), REEs and base metals.

Cryolite is commonly used as an electrolyte for aluminum electrolysis. 
Cryolite’s clear or white to yellowish, but can also be black or purple. 

The name of Cryolite comes from the Greek κρύος, frost, and λίθος, stone, meaning “ice-stone” in allusion to Cryolite appearance.
Cryolite was commercially mined in large quantities in Greenland since the mid-1800’s, and used as flux for the production of aluminum. 
Cryolite’s a curiosity mineral.

Colourless samples seemingly ‘disappear’ in water due to very low refractive index (index of refraction is 1.338 which is close to the index of refraction of water).
Cryolite, Na3[AlF6], occurs naturally as a rare mineral.

Historically, Cryolite was used as a source of aluminium but this has been superseded by bauxite (a mixture of the Al2O3 containing minerals boehmite, diaspore and gibbsite), largely.
Because of the higher Al content of bauxite (∼50%) vs. cryolite (13%) and the scarcity of the latter. 

However, Cryolite remains essential to aluminium production.
Because alumina is readily soluble in molten Cryolite. 

Cryolite is crucial to the economics of aluminium production.
Because Cryolite melts at 1012 °C whereas alumina melts at 2072 °C. 

As the melt is ionic, Cryolite also conducts electricity efficiently making the electrolytic reduction of alumina feasible. 
This is the basis of the Hall–Héroult process which was invented independently by Hall and Héroult in 1886 and Cryolite is still the method of production today.

Cryolite (Na3AlF6) is a fluorine-rich mineral (54.30 wt.% F). 
Cryolite used to be commercially exploited in Ivigtut (Greenland) until the reserve exhausted in 1986.

The occurrence of this mineral is reported in few localities in the world.
Nowadays, the only commercial Cryolite deposit worldwide is found in Pitinga (Amazonas State, Brazil).

Cryolite has been used as an insecticide and pesticide.
However, Cryolite main use is in the electrolytic production of aluminum metal (the Hall-Héroult process) in which alumina (Al2O3) is dissolved in a bath consisting primarily of molten Cryolite.
Cryolite is manufactured from alumina, hydrofluoric acid and sodium hydroxide according to the following reaction

In organization is a foremost company in the market, highly engrossed in offering a wide range of Cryolite for Ceramic and Glass Industry in the domestic and international market. 
Our offered array is processed with strict supervision of talented professionals by utilizing quality approved raw material at our vendors end.

Applications of Cryolite:
Cryolite is a biochemical for proteomics research. 
Cryolite is used as a flux agent or bath material by aluminum smelters in the production of aluminum. 

Cryolite is also used in the production of synthetic resins for abrasives and in the manufacture of cutting or grinding discs. 
Minor uses of Cryolite are as a coloring agent (opacifier) in the glass, ceramic and pyrotechnic industries. 
Cryolite occurs naturally as the mineral cryolite, which is used extensively in the industrial production of aluminium.

Uses of Cryolite:
The main application of Cryolite is as a solvent (or flux) for electrolysis of aluminium oxides such as bauxite. 
The conversion of Cryolite into metallic aluminium requires that the metal ions be dissolved so that they can accept the electrons provided in the electrolysis cell. 

A mixture of Cryolite and some aluminium trifluoride is used as that solvent. 
Unlike typical solutions, Cryolite requires temperatures approaching 1000 °C to melt. 

Cryolite is also used as a pesticide. 
Other uses of Cryolite include a whitener for enamels and an opacifier for glass.

Cryolite is used as a solvent for aluminium oxide (Al2O3) in the Hall–Héroult process, used in the refining of aluminium. 
Cryolite the melting point of aluminium oxide from 2000 to 2500 °C to 900–1000 °C.

Cryolite is aluminium oxide conductivity,thus making the extraction of aluminium more economical.
Cryolite is used as an insecticide.

Cryolite is also used to give fireworks a yellow color.
Cryolite is also used in the manufacture of pesticides in small quantities.

Cryolite is used as an insecticide.
Cryolite is used as a solvent for aluminum oxide (Al2O3) in the Hall-Héroult process used to refine aluminum.

Consumer Uses of Cryolite:
Cryolite is used in the following products: explosives and welding & soldering products.
Other release to the environment of Cryolite is likely to occur from: outdoor use as reactive substance, outdoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. tyres, treated wooden products, treated textile and fabric, brake pads in trucks or cars, sanding of buildings (bridges, facades) or vehicles (ships)), indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment) and indoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. release from fabrics, textiles during washing, removal of indoor paints).

Widespread uses by professional workers of Cryolite:
Other release to the environment of Cryolite is likely to occur from: indoor use as processing aid, outdoor use as reactive substance, outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials), outdoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. tyres, treated wooden products, treated textile and fabric, brake pads in trucks or cars, sanding of buildings (bridges, facades) or vehicles (ships)), indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment) and indoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. release from fabrics, textiles during washing, removal of indoor paints).

Uses at industrial sites of Cryolite: 
Cryolite is used in the following products: welding & soldering products.
Cryolite is used for the manufacture of: metals.

Release to the environment of Cryolite can occur from industrial use: in processing aids at industrial sites, in the production of articles, industrial abrasion processing with low release rate (e.g. cutting of textile, cutting, machining or grinding of metal) and industrial abrasion processing with high release rate (e.g. sanding operations or paint stripping by shot-blasting).
Other release to the environment of Cryolite is likely to occur from: outdoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. tyres, treated wooden products, treated textile and fabric, brake pads in trucks or cars, sanding of buildings (bridges, facades) or vehicles (ships)), indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment) and indoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. release from fabrics, textiles during washing, removal of indoor paints).

Properties of Cryolite:
Cryolite will dissolve aluminium oxide and the electrolysis of this mixture will give aluminium metal.
Cryolite is mostly inert to most reagents and oxidizers.

Physical properties of Cryolite:
Cryolite occurs as glassy, colorless, white-reddish to gray-black prismatic monoclinic crystals. 
Cryolite has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3 and a specific gravity of about 2.95 to 3.0. 
Cryolite is translucent to transparent with a very low refractive index of about 1.34, which is very close to that of water; thus if immersed in water.

Cryolite is a white solid, insoluble in water or other solvents.

Compound Type of Cryolite:
Aluminum Compound
Fluoride Compound
Industrial/Workplace Toxin
Inorganic Compound
Natural Compound
Pesticide

Chemical Properties of Cryolite:
Cryolite is a snow-white crystalline solid, powder or vitreous mass. 
Cryolite may be colored reddish or brown or even black.

Cryolite is an amorphous powder. 
Cryolite is odorless.

Production of Cryolite:
Cryolite is manufactured by a variety of related pathways. 
Cryolite one route entails combining sodium aluminate and hydrofluoric acid.
Na3Al(OH)6 + 6 HF → Na3AlF6 + 6 H2O

Often the hexafluorosilicic acid, which is recovered from phosphate mining, is the precursor in a two-step process beginning with neutralization with ammonia to give ammonium hexafluorosilicate:
H3AlF6 + 3 NH3 → (NH4)3AlF6
(NH4)3AlF6 + 3 NaOH → Na3AlF6 + 3 NH3 + 3 H2O

The mineral form of Cryolite , which is called cryolite, was mined at Ivigtût on the west coast of Greenland until the deposit was depleted in 1987.
Cryolite was first described in 1798 by Danish veterinarian and physician Peder Christian Abildgaard (1740–1801). 
Cryolite was obtained from a deposit of Cryolite in Ivigtut (old spelling) and nearby Arsuk Fjord, Southwest Greenland.

The Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company used large amounts of Cryolite to make caustic soda at Cryolite Natrona, Pennsylvania works, and at Cryolite Cornwells Heights, Pennsylvania, Plant, during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Cryolite was historically used as an ore of aluminium and later in the electrolytic processing of the aluminium-rich oxide ore bauxite (itself a combination of aluminium oxide minerals such as gibbsite, boehmite and diaspore). 

The difficulty of separating aluminium from oxygen in the oxide ores was overcome by the use of Cryolite as a flux to dissolve the oxide mineral(s). 
Pure Cryolite melts at 1012 °C (1285 K).

Cryolite can dissolve the aluminium oxides sufficiently well to allow easy extraction of the aluminium by electrolysis. 
Substantial energy is still needed for both heating the materials and the electrolysis, but Cryolite is much more energy-efficient than melting the oxides themselves. 
As natural Cryolite is now too rare to be used for this purpose, synthetic sodium aluminium fluoride is produced from the common mineral fluorite.

Manufacture of Cryolite:
Release to the environment of Cryolite can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of Cryolite.

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust and is always found combined with other elements such as oxygen, silicon, and fluorine.
When heated to decomposition of Cryolite emits toxic fumes of fluorides and disodium oxide.

Solubility of Cryolite:
Cryolite is poorly soluble in water. 
The LD50 of Cryolite is 600 mg/kg for the comparable compound aluminium trifluoride.

Stability and reactivity of Cryolite:

Reactivity of Cryolite:
Cryolite is not reactive under normal ambient conditions.

Chemical stability of Cryolite:
Cryolite is stable under normal ambient and anticipated storage and handling conditions of temperature and pressure.

Formulation or re-packing of Cryolite: 
Cryolite is used in the following products: metal working fluids.
Release to the environment of Cryolite can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures.

Handling and storage of Cryolite:

Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid dust formation.

Measures to prevent fire as well as aerosol and dust generation:
Removal of dust deposits.

Measures to protect the environment:
Avoid release to the environment.

Advice on general occupational hygiene:
Wash hands before breaks and after work. 
Keep away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffs.

Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Store in a dry place. 
Keep container tightly closed.

Potential Exposure of Cryolite:
Sodium aluminum fluoride is used in making pesticides, ceramics, glass, and polishes; in refining reduction of aluminum, flux, glass, and enamel.

Incompatibilities of Cryolite:
Cryolite is incompatible with strong acids such as sulfuric, strong oxidizers, hydrogen fluoride.

Waste Disposal of Cryolite:
In accordance with 40CFR 165 recommendations for the disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers. 
Cryolite must be disposed properly by following package label directions or by contacting your local or federal environmental control agency, or by contacting your regional EPA office.

Identifiers of Cryolite:
MELTING POINT: 1000 °C
MDL Number: MFCD00003507
Pubchem CID: 159692
UN No.: 3260

Physical and Chemical Properties of Cryolite:
Physical state: solid
Form powder: crystalline
Colour: colourless
Odour: odourless
Melting point/freezing point: 1.00 – 1.012 °C at 1.013 hPa (ECHA)
Boiling point or initial boiling point and boiling range: not determined
Flammability: non-combustible
Lower and upper explosion limit: not determined
Flash point: not applicable
Auto-ignition temperature : not determined
Decomposition temperature: >1.000 °C
pH (value) 5,5 – 7 (20 °C) (aqueous solution of Cryolite)
Kinematic viscosity: not relevant
Water solubility 0,602 g /l at 20 °C (ECHA)
Partition coefficient: Partition coefficient n-octanol/water (log value): not relevant (inorganic)

Molecular Weight: 209.941265
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 0 
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 7     
Rotatable Bond Count: 0     
Exact Mass: 209.9412652     
Monoisotopic Mass: 209.9412652     
Topological Polar Surface Area: 0 Ų     
Heavy Atom Count: 10     
Complexity: 62.7 
Isotope Atom Count: 0 
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0     
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0     
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0     
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0     
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 4     
Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes 

Synonyms of Cryolite:
Sodium fluoroaluminate
Kryolite
Aluminate(3-)
hexafluoro-
trisodium, (OC-6-11)-
ice spar
CRYOLITE
Cryolite
15096-52-3
13775-53-6
Aluminum trisodium hexafluoride
Cryolite(III)
trisodium;hexafluoroaluminum(3-)
MFCD00003507
AlF6.3Na
UNII-5ZIS914RQ9
Na3AlF6
Sodium aluminium fluoride
Na3[AlF6]
Aluminum sodium hexafluoride
trisodium hexafluoridoaluminate
sodiumhexafluoroaluminate(III)
5ZIS914RQ9
CHEMBL3988899
CHEBI:39289
sodium hexafluoridoaluminate(3-)
Cryolite, 97%
trisodium hexafluoroaluminum(3-)
sodium hexafluoridoaluminate(III)
triCryolite(3-)
5473AF
AKOS025310262
trisodium hexakis(fluoranyl)aluminum(3-)
Chromium Boride (Cr2B) Sputtering Targets
Cryolite, synthetic, >=97.0% (from F)
FT-0624109
C18816
trisodium (OC-6-11)-hexafluoroaluminate(3-)
A809094
Q927885
J-008762
Aluminate(3-), hexafluoro- trisodium, (OC-6-11)-
Cryolite, 99.98% trace metals basis
Cryolite,naturallyoccurringmineral,grains,approximately0.06-19in
alumiinitrinatriumheksafluoridi (fi)
aluminiumtrinatriumheksafluorid (no)
aluminiumtrinatriumhexafluorid (sv)
criolit (ro)
criolite (it)
criolite (pt)
cryolit (da)
cryolithe (fr)
esafluoroalluminato di trisodio (it)
heksafluorek glinu i sodu (pl)
heksafluoroglinian sodu (pl)
heksafluoroglinian trisodu (pl)
hexafluoroaluminat-trisodic (ro)
hexafluoroaluminate de trisodium (fr)
hexafluoroaluminato de trisodio (es)
hexafluoroaluminato de trissódio (pt)
hexafluorohlinitan trisodný (cs)
hexafluorohlinitan trisodný (sk)
kriolit (hu)
Kriolit (pl)
kriolit (sl)
kriolitas (lt)
kriolīts (lv)
kryoliitti (fi)
kryolit (cs)
Kryolit (de)
kryolit (sk)
kryolitt (no)
Krüoliit (et)
natrijev heksafluoroaluminat (III) (sl)
trinaatriumheksafluoroaluminaat (et)
trinatrijev heksafluoroaluminat (hr)
trinatrio heksafluoroaliuminatas (lt)
trinatriumheksafluoraluminat (no)
trinatriumhexafluoraluminaat (nl)
trinatriumhexafluoraluminat (da)
Trinatriumhexafluoraluminat (de)
trinatriumhexafluoroaluminat (sv)
trinátrium-hexafluoroaluminát (hu)
trinātrija heksafluoralumināts (lv)
Εξαφθοροαργιλικό τρινάτριο κρυόλιθος (el)
Κρυόλιθος (el)
криолит (bg)
тринатриев хексафлуороалуминат (bg)
Aluminate(3-), hexafluoro-, sodium (1:3), (OC-6-11)-
aluminum trisodium hexafluoride
cryolite
Cryolite
Kriolit
Kryolith (Na3AlF6); cryolite
Sinthetic cryolite, cryolite
Sodium aluminofluoroaluminate
Trisodium hexafluoro aluminate
Trisodium hexafluoro-aluminate
trisodium hexafluoroalumanetriuide
TriCryolite
TriCryolite
triCryolite
TriCryolite
triCryolite
trisodium hexfluoroaluminate
Cover bath
Cryolite as single subtance or within the preparation Bath or "Hall Cell Bath"
Cryolite bath
Cryolite synth.
Cryolite synthetic
electrolyte
Syntetický kryolit
009-016-00-2
1228236-36-9
1228236-36-9
12397-51-2
CRYOLITE
Sodium hexafluoroaluminate
15096-52-3
13775-53-6
Aluminum trisodium hexafluoride
sodium hexafluoroaluminate(III)
trisodium;hexafluoroaluminum(3-)
MFCD00003507
Na3AlF6
AlF6.3Na
UNII-5ZIS914RQ9
Na3[AlF6]
trisodium hexafluoridoaluminate
sodiumhexafluoroaluminate(III)
5ZIS914RQ9
CHEMBL3988899
CHEBI:39289
sodium hexafluoridoaluminate(3-)
Sodium hexafluoroaluminate, 97%
trisodium hexafluoroaluminum(3-)
sodium hexafluoridoaluminate(III)
trisodium hexafluoroaluminate(3-)
5473AF
AKOS025310262
trisodium hexakis(fluoranyl)aluminum(3-)
Chromium Boride (Cr2B) Sputtering Targets
Cryolite, synthetic, >=97.0% (from F)
FT-0624109
C18816
trisodium (OC-6-11)-hexafluoroaluminate(3-)
A809094
Q927885
J-008762
Sodium hexafluoroaluminate, 99.98% trace metals basis
Cryolite,naturallyoccurringmineral,grains,approximately0.06-19in
Aluminium sodium fluoride (1:3:6)
Aluminiumnatriumfluorid (1:3:6)
Fluorure d'aluminium et de sodium (6:1:3)
sodium hexafluoroaluminate
15096-52-3
237-410-6
5ZIS914RQ9
Aluminate(3-), hexafluoro-, sodium (1:3)
Aluminate(3-), hexafluoro-, trisodium (8CI)
BD0075000
CRYOLITE
Hexafluoroaluminate(3-) de trisodium
Kryolith
Kryolith
MFCD00003507
SODIUM ALUMINUM HEXAFLUORIDE
Sodium fluoroaluminate
sodium hexafluoroaluminate
Trinatriumhexafluoraluminat(3-)
Trinatriumhexafluoraluminate(3-)
Trisodium hexafluoroaluminate(3-)
Villiaumite
[13775-53-6]
1331-71-1
239-148-8
Aluminate(3-), hexafluoro-, trisodium
ALUMINUM SODIUM FLUORIDE
Aluminum sodium fluoride (Na3AlF6)
Aluminum sodium hexafluoride (AlNa3F6)
ALUMINUM TRISODIUM HEXAFLUORIDE
Cryocide
Cryodust
Cryolite (AlNa3F6)
Cryolite (Na3(AlF6))
dinickel orthosilicate
ENT 24,984
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 075101
Greenland spar
ICE Spar
ICETONE
Koyoside
Kriolit
Kryocide
Na3[AlF6]
Na3AlF6
Natriumaluminiumfluorid
Natriumhexafluoroaluminate
SODIUM ALUMINUM FLUORIDE
Sodium aluminum fluoride (as F)
Sodium fluoroaluminate (Na3AlF6)
sodium fluoroaluminate(3-)
sodium hexafluoridoaluminate(3-)
sodium hexafluoridoaluminate(3-); sodium hexafluoridoaluminate(III); trisodium hexafluoridoaluminate
sodium hexafluoridoaluminate(III)
Sodium hexafluoroaluminate (Cryolite)
Sodium hexafluoroaluminate (Na3AlF6)
Sodium hexafluoroaluminate(III)
Sodium hexafluoroaluminic acid
trisodium (OC-6-11)-hexafluoroaluminate(3-)
trisodium aluminum hexafluoride
trisodium hexafluoridoaluminate
TRISODIUM HEXAFLUOROALUMANETRIUIDE
Trisodium hexafluoroaluminate
Trisodium hexafluoroaluminate(3)
trisodium hexafluoroaluminum(3-)
trisodiumhexafluoroaluminate
UNII:5ZIS914RQ9
UNII-5ZIS914RQ9